The Book of Akbar 133: CHAPTER XVIII.
The Akbarnama (H. Beveridge), vols. I–II 133
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CHAPTER XVIII.
133.1
It is a fixed law that when the world-adorning Creator designs to reveal a unique jewel from its casings, he brings strange things to pass so that a man being tried in such ways by word and deed may become glorious in the minds of all for firmness and foreseeing. Among these, there was this strange circumstance that with all this victory and largesse, there was a defect of similitude (qillat-i-mujānasat) which worked a want of intimacy (‘illat-i-‘adam-i-muwānasat) with the people of India.
133.2
The soldiery and the peasantry (of India) abstained from intercourse (with the invaders). Although Delhi and Agra had come into possession, opponents held the country. Many of the neighbouring forts were held by rebels. Qasim Sanbali held Sanbal (Rohilkhand) and in the fort of Biana (Bhartpur) Nizam Khan was beating the drum of opposition. Hasan Khan Mewati had established himself in Mewat (south of Delhi) and raised the standard of revolt. Muhammad Zaitun had established himself in Dholpur (Rajputāna) and was breathing opposition. Tatar Khan Sarangkhani (Firishta, son of Sarang Khan) was holding Gwaliar; Husain Khan Lohani, Rāprī (on the Jumna); Qutb Khan, Etawa, ‘Alam Khan, Kalpi. Marghub, a slave of Sultan Ibrahim, held Mahawan (Mathura) which is near Agra. Qanauj and the other cities beyond the Ganges, were in the hands of the Afghans, under the headship of Nasir Khan Lohani and Ma'ruf Farmuli who had contended also with Sultan Ibrahim. After his death, they had acquired many other countries and having advanced some stages, had made Bahar Khan, son of Darya Khan, king and styled him Sultan Muhammad. During this year, while his Majesty had his head-quarters in Agra, the hot winds were very oppressive. An impure samūm and sickness were added to the pusillanimity of the camp. A large number absconded out of senseless imaginations.
133.3
Owing to the rebels, the inclement weather, the impassableness of the roads, the delay of coming by merchants, there was distress for food and a want of necessary articles. The condition of the people became bad. Many officers resolved to leave Hindustan for Kabul and its neighbourhood, and many soldiers deserted. Though many old officers and veteran soldiers used improper language in the Presence, and also secretly used language disagreeable to his Majesty, yet his Majesty Giti-sitānī who was unique for far-seeing and endurance, did not heed this but set about the administration of the country. At length on the part of the elite and those who had been trained by his Majesty and from whom different things were to be looked for, there were stale movements of old times. Especially was this the case with Ahmadī Parwāncī and Walī Khāzin. Still more astonishing, Khwāja Kalān Beg,—who in all the battle fields and occasions, especially in the expedition to Hindustan, had always spoken gallantly, and given such opinions as befitted a brave man—now changed his views and was the foremost in advocating the abandonment of the country, both openly and by covert hints. At length his Majesty summoned his officers and spoke wise words of counsel to them, unveiling their secret imaginings (makhtūrāt) and forbidden (mahzūrāt) ideas.
133.4
He announced his firm determination, saying, “We have won this fine country by labour and hardship, to give it up for a little fatigue and contrariety, is neither the way of world-conquerors nor method of wise men. Joy and sorrow, comfort and distress are linked together. Now that all those labours and troubles have been brought to their end, assuredly rest and smoothness will appear in like degree. You must lay firm hold on the strong cable of reliance on God and not utter any more vain and factious words. Whoever has a mind to depart to Kabul (Wilāyat) and to exhibit his own worthlessness, it matters not, let him go. But we, relying on the lofty courage which rests on the Divine help, have fixed India in our heart.” At last all the officers, after consideration and meditation, agreed and confessed that what his Majesty said was true and that “the king's word was the word-king.” With heart and soul they placed the head of submission on the ground of command and bound themselves to remain. Khwāja Kalān who was keener than the others about leaving for Kabul (Wilāyat) received permission to depart and the presents for the princes and others were sent with him. Ghaznīn, Gardez, and the Sultan Mas‘ūdī Hazara were given to him in fief. In Hindustan too the pargana of Ghuram was given to him. Mir Miran also got leave to go to Kabul. The Khwaja got leave to depart (to Kabul) on Thursday, 20 Zi-hijja (28th August).
133.5
It is manifest that every right-minded, fortunate one who conducts business with subtle prudence, is more and more successful in proportion as he arrives at high positions. A mirror of this is the grand story of his Majesty Giti-sitani Firdus-makani who in such a commotion of the soldiery and in presence of much opposition, had recourse to world-conquering courage, and who, relying on the Divine protection, set his face to accomplish his work and achieve his desires and made the city of Agra, which is the centre of Hindustan, his fixed residence and with strength of counsel and courage and abundant liberality and justice, composed the distractions of the country. Accordingly many of the officers of Hindustan and rulers of the country gradually entered his service. Among them was Shaikh Ghuran who brought with him as many as 3,000 men of mark. Everyone of them received favours above his condition.
133.6
There were also Firuz Khan, Shaikh Bayazid, Mahmud Khan Lohani, Qazi Jia, who were amongst the famous sirdars, and who entered the service and obtained their desires. Firuz Khan received a jagir from Jaunpur of one kror odd of tankas. Shaikh Bayazid one kror from Oudh; Mahmud Khan 90 lakhs from Ghazipur. Qazi Jia had an assignment of 20 lakhs from Jaunpur. In a short time, there was peace and comfort and joy and pleasure and such prosperity as belongs to a permanent government. Some days after the ‘Id of Shawwal, there was a great feast at Agra, in the palace of Sultan Ibrahim when a treasury of gifts was showered into the lap of the public. Sambal was assigned to Jahanbani, in addition to Sarkar Hisar-firiiza which formerly had been given him as the reward of valour. Amir Hindu Beg was appointed as his deputy to preside over that district. As Biban had besieged the fort of Sambal, the aforesaid Amir, Kita Beg, Malik Qasim, Baba Qashqa with his brothers and Malla Apaq, Shaikh Ghuran and his soldiers from the middle Duab were rapidly sent there. Biban engaged them and was defeated and as that seditious and disloyal one (harami-nimak) after having experienced the sweets of service, had out of evil nature turned his back, never again did he behold fortune's face.